Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam today called on the Australian Government to take on “a much more active role” in ensuring WikiLeaks editor in chief Julian Assange is not extradited to the United States.

Senator Ludlam, speaking from London immediately after the hearing on Mr Assange’s possible extradition to Sweden to face questioning not related to the work of WikiLeaks, said the decision of the High Court to grant the Australian citizen leave to appeal to the Supreme Court gave the Government more time to take action.

“We are concerned that Mr Assange, if extradited to Sweden, could subsequently be extradited to the United States to face trumped-up charges arising from the work of the WikiLeaks website.

“Private Bradley Manning, who is accused of leaking information to WikiLeaks and faces trial on December 16th, is being held under conditions I believe constitute inhumane and degrading punishment. For this reason I have grave concerns about the safety of Mr Assange if he is transferred to the United States.

“I will travel to Sweden to meet with Australian consular officials and officials of the Swedish justice system as I remain concerned by the prospect of Mr Assange being forcibly sent to the United States, rather than remaining in Sweden in the event he is extradited.”

Senator Ludlam is travelling at his own expense. He attended this morning’s hearing and is available for interviews.